Klinovec, in Bohemia. The biggest ski resort in Czechia is located on the German border. Skiing history in the area is long and strong. In our opinion, skiing here is among the best you can get north of the Alps. No wonder this is a favorite among the Berliners.
Skiing in Klinovec (Keilberg in German) started already in the early twentieth century. The sister mountain, Fichtelberg, across the valley of Oberwiesenthal, was one of the first ski resorts worldwide when the cable car was established in 1924.
In the 1940s, development in the area stopped for reasons known to mankind. Sadly, the on-border location to East Germany kept the development of the Klinovec ski area on hold for another twenty years post-war. In the sixties, the first ski lift was set up on the east side of the Klinovec mountain.
If you are traveling from Scandinavia, Klinovec is just a six-hour drive from the ferry terminals in Rostock. And less than four hours away if you travel from Berlin.
Skiing in the woods of Klinovec
The two skiable mountains, Klinovec (1245 MASL) and Fichtelberg (1215 MASL), offer a great variety in terms of on-slope skiing.
The number of lifts is 25.
The elevation from top to bottom of 481 meters at Klinovec and 304 meters at Fichtelberg should be enough to satisfy any needs. In Scandinavia, mountaintops of this height would offer plenty of skiing above tree level.
In Bohemia you will find yourself skiing in a massive fir forest. Despite that, an open view over the beautiful Bohemian landscape is always present.
Winter climate in Bohemia is often cold, sunny, and dry. Klinovec is depending on its modern snowmaking facilities. You can’t expect endless powder, but you can expect perfect slopes for carving. Skiing in the woods also serves as a guarantee the lift will run in any weather, which is a big advantage. On snowy days the trees in the forest leave enough room for adventurous skiers.
Klinovec is modern and vintage, like a Bohemian Rhapsody
Approaching the ski area from the west, you will drive up a winding road from the lowlands below. Expectation rises as you arrive to the modern four-seater Prima Express. This lifts you from the bottom to the top of mountain, offering an endless red slope of international standard. There is a valley run more than five kilometers long.
Halfway down that valley run, you will end up in the Neklid ski area.
This is the most authentic part of Klinovec. Here the lifts might be old, but the slopes are superb indeed. From the top of Neklid there is a free skibus to Fichtelberg in Germany. The bus takes 10 minutes, and your lift ticket is valid in both ski areas. Just the idea of skiing two countries the same day on the same ticket makes you want to try this out.
Affordable skiing in central Europe
A day ticket is 49 euros. On-slope beer is less than 4 euros. During wintertime there are plenty of high-quality hotels for less than 100 euros in nearby Karlovy Vary. That’s where you should stay while you’re here. Ski-in, Ski-out accommodation is difficult to find, especially on the Klinovec side. There are some, but they are often fully booked. Karlovy Vary or Carlsbad in English, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for its many baths and hot springs. Many of the buildings are from the 18th and 19th centuries. Carlsbad is worth a visit on its own, but why not combine it with the best skiing Bohemia has to offer?
If you are curious how we got to Klinovec, you can read our travel blog. Just click here!
Subscribe to our newsletter!
